| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.69 |
| Liaison | Tess Esposito |
| Submission Date | Feb. 9, 2022 |
University of Dayton
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Does the institution own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, or regions of conservation importance?:
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
see attached spreadsheet in "optional"
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
As assessment of campus as potential habitat for endangered and vulnerable species is attached in the Optional field.
From the NWI maps and field assessment, one freshwater pond was identified on campus as an environmentally sensitive area.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
In 2017, the University conducted an assessment to identify potential for endangered and vulnerable species and environmentally sensitive areas. This assessment will continue annually by staff biologists and students and faculty from the Biology department.
Methods to Identify Environmental Sensitive Areas:
We reviewed IUCN and USFWS IPaC data for UD owned and managed land. No environmentally sensitive areas were identified on or near our urban campus. This assessment included: IUCN management categories I-VI; Natura 2000; Ramsar; Natural or World Heritage Sites; UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserves; Important Bird Areas; Alliance for Zero Extinction Sites; Endemic Bird Areas; Biodiversity Hotspots; and High Biodiversity Wilderness Areas. For each of these categories of environmentally sensitive areas, no UD-owned or managed land appear.
We assessed for the occurrence of wetlands on UD-owned and managed land using National Wetlands Inventory, aerial image assessment, and ground-truthing. One freshwater pond on River Campus is identified on NWI maps. Field observations indicate vernal pools along southeastern edge of River Campus.
Methods to identify endangered and vulnerable species:
To identify endangered and vulnerable species that may occur on UD-owned and managed land, we reviewed the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Critically Endangered to Least Concern), the USFWS IPaC tool (ESA Endangered and Threatened and Migratory Birds), and Birds of Conservation Concern. We compared these lists against the availability of suitable habitat on campus. Finally we referred to locally generated observation lists.
With this identification of sensitive areas and potential endangered and vulnerable species, in 2018 we conducted field assessment and monitoring to further identify, monitor and manage for vulnerable species and sensitive areas. With no recent land purchases or land changes, this field assessment and monitoring remain up-to-date.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
All campus vegetated areas were assessed for potential habitat for threatened, endangered, vulnerable, and species of concern. There have been no substantial changes in campus land use or acquisition. Therefore the 2017 assessment is still valid.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
An Environmental Research Area was established by a memorandum of understanding between Facilities and the Biology Department. In the ERA, the focus is on invasive species removal and species identification.
When endangered bats are located on campus impacting facilities, species listed by the state of Ohio as vulnerable are removed and relocated.
Where possible, other future management actions will be evaluated for their potential to restore wetland types, protect woodland, forest, and successional habitat on campus to support vulnerable species population.
Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.